Terrestrial vegetation and environments on Heard Island

Abstract

Significantly ice-covered and with a very small flora (11 vascular species and about 60 bryophyte taxa), Heard Island is still emerging fromthe effects of the last glacial maximum. This study presents the results of a general vegetation survey. A baseline framework ofenvironmental conditions that affect vegetation on the island is described and a classification (TWINSPAN) analysis based on presencelabsence data of both vascular plant species and bryophyte taxa is provided. Distinct suites of taxa were identified on the island, somecontaining bryophytes only. Fifteen ecological groups were delineated. A discussion of ecological amplitude of import ant bryophyte andvascular plant taxa on Heard Island is included.